The facilities were excellent. The course tutors very knowledgeable and highly motivated, especially towards the end of the course when many trainees were flagging. The course… Read more “The facilities were excellent”

CELTA + Certificate IV in TESOL: How does it work?

On completion of CELTA in Sydney CBD or Bondi (full time, part time or online blended), candidates apply for RPL (recognition of prior learning) for CELTA* at a cost of $250.

Depending on the candidate’s educational backgrounds, they will be instructed to either a) submit an assignment, b) evidence of prior learning, or c) nothing in case they already have studied the outstanding “unit” (subject).

On successful completion of #3, Certificate IV in TESOL will be issued, without having to attend the course face-to-face. a) and b) incurs another $250.

*In the RPL process, CELTA will be recognised as prior learning.

Recommended Reading for CELTA Courses

Practical English Usage

As I was preparing to take the TEFL course to teach abroad and inquiring about the different books that the school was suggesting, I was told simply by my son who is also a teacher and the statement was confirmed by both my instructors, "just buy Swan, it's the bible and it's all you need". Practical English Usage is just that. For whatever reason Michael Swan decided to write this book, we are forever grateful. - Margaret M. Frye 5/5

Learning Teaching

"Learning Teaching" has been one of the most successful guides to English since it was first published in 1994. Its no-nonsense approach has made it a superb teaching textbook for initial training courses, and also an essential handbook for practising ELT teachers. The third edition has been extensively revised and restructured to take recent developments in ELT into account and now includes a DVD featuring a full lesson being taught as well as demonstrations of practical teaching techniques.

A Concise Grammar for English Teachers

I used Tony Penston's book when I was learning how to teach English as a Foreign Language. I found it really useful then and I still carry it with me for all teaching assignments - and I regularly refer to it for some grammatical point or other. It's easy to find what you want and nice and concise! It gets straight to the point. Apparently he's even got a sense of humour too, rarely seen in a grammarian, and a relief to this user. This really good book is useful for all teaching levels. Great value too. I do not hesitate to recommend it to all English language teachers. - John Osman 5/5

CELTA Course Information & Entry Requirements, Sydney

About the CELTA Course

The Cambridge English Language Assessment CELTA Certificate is an introductory TEFL course in teaching English for candidates who have little or no previous English language teaching experience. It may also be suitable for candidates with some TEFL experience but little previous teacher training.

CELTA is an ELT (English Language Teaching) certificate, which encompasses TESL (i.e. Teaching English as Second Language) and TEFL (i.e. Teaching English as Foreign Language). It is the most widely recognised and respected international TEFL certificate in teaching English offered in Australia and around the world.

CELTA Course Entry Requirements

To be accepted on the CELTA course in Sydney, applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

A minimum age of 18 at the start of the CELTA course

A good standard of education* (e.g. having gained university entrance qualifications, completed high school)

Awareness and high level of competence in written and spoken English in order to be able to follow the course and prepare for teaching a range of levels

For non-native speakers, the required command of English is that of Proficiency (CPE), IELTS 7.0 or higher , TOEIC 945+ points, (i.e. close to native speaker's competence)

No previous teaching experience required

CELTA Course Content and Assessment

CELTA Course Sydney Content

The course consists of:

A minimum of 120 contact hours between participants and course tutors (This includes lectures, tutorial support and lesson planning.)

A minimum of 6 hours teaching practice (Supervised by a course tutor, feedback on teaching practice and peer observation.)

A minimum of 6 hours directed observation of lessons taught by experienced teachers

In addition to the scheduled timetable, the course also requires a minimum of a further 50 hours for required reading, research and preparation of lessons and assignments.

The course content covers:

Language awareness

The learner, the teacher and the teaching/learning context

Planning for effective teaching of adult learners of English

Classroom management and teaching skills for adult learners

Resources and materials for teaching English to adults

Professional development for teachers of English to Adults

CELTA Course Aims

The Cambridge CELTA course (formerly known as the RSA/Cambridge CTEFLA) leads to an internationally recognised qualification and is intended for people without previous teaching experience who wish to enter the profession of English language teaching to adults. It is also appropriate for those with some EFL experience, but no formal qualification or training, as well as for teachers from other fields who are interested in developing a career in English language teaching.

During the course, participants develop familiarity with the principles of effective teaching and acquire a range of practical skills for teaching English to adult learners.

The course is highly practical in approach and is designed to enable participants to:

Develop an awareness of language and a knowledge of the description of English and apply these in their professional practice

Develop an initial understanding of the contexts within which adults learn English, their motivations and the roles of the teacher and the learner

Develop familiarity with the principles and practice of effective teaching to adult learners of English

Develop basic skills for teaching adults in the language classroom

Develop familiarity with appropriate resources and materials for use with adult learners of English for teaching, testing and for reference

Identify opportunities for their own future development as professionals in the field

CELTA Course Assessment in Sydney, Australia

Course assessment, which is continuous and integrated, is based on classroom teaching practice and on written assignments. The certificate is awarded to candidates who satisfy all assessment criteria and complete all course requirements.

An external assessor, who is appointed by the University of Cambridge, visits each course in order to observe teaching practice and to inspect candidates' portfolios of written work. Their role is to standardise grading, recommend final grades and monitor the courses. The University of Cambridge awards final grades and issues certificates to successful candidates.

The full-time course is very intense and requires total commitment. In addition to course hours you should allow between three to four hours each evening for lesson preparation and writing assignments and one weekend day would also be required.

It is highly unlikely that you will be able to fulfil the course requirements if you have any other obligations over this period such as a part-time job or a commitment to another course. You should also be in good health and be able to manage the stress arising from an intense course of this nature.

Further Tertiary Training with the CELTA Certificate

The teacher training centre has established links with leading universities to ensure that teachers can continue to develop professionally through further study. Teachers who complete the CELTA in Sydney have advanced standing (credit points) awarded on a basis of:

University of Wollongong

1 out of 8 subjects in the Graduate Diploma in TESOL (can be taken by distance)

1 out of 4 subjects in the Graduate Certificate in TESOL (can be taken by distance)

Macquarie University

1 out of 10 subjects of the MA Applied Linguistics (can be taken by distance)

University of New South Wales

1 out of 6 subjects of the MA Applied Linguistics

University of Canberra

1 out of 3 subjects of the Graduate Certificate or 1 out of 6 subjects for the Graduate Diploma in TESOL.

How to Apply for the CELTA in Sydney, Australia

If you believe you meet the requirements to do the CELTA Course, fill in our online application. After completing your application and any necessary pre-interview tasks you will be invited to an interview which can be conducted in person, by telephone or via Skype.

Please note: Your place is not confirmed on a course until you have been accepted and have paid a non-refundable deposit.

Unsure if you are Eligible to Apply for CELTA?

Employment opportunities with the CELTA

There are many job opportunities in Australia and overseas for CELTA and Cert IV in TESOL participants. The courses include a job workshop which gives practical advice on how to go about finding employment all around the world, and there is open access to the training centre job notice-board with details of many positions offered in a range of countries.

The training centre is part of a large English language college with campuses in Sydney, Perth, Cairns and Brisbane and teachers who successfully complete the courses and have the right to work in Australia often find employment within the organisation or within other recognised and accredited Australian colleges that recruit directly from these courses.

Find a TEFL Job Post CELTA

As a StudyCELTA trainee, you will be able to sign up for free to our TEFL jobs website www.teflwork.com. TEFLwork is a platform only for qualified English teachers and will allow you to find work both at home and abroad with your newly gained CELTA certificate.

How to Pay

Payments (deposit & balance) can be made directly to the School via Bank Transfer, Bank Cheque, Cash, VISA or MASTERCARD. Personal cheques will not be accepted.